Photo illustration of the top5 quarterbacks and the top 5 non-quarterbacks for the NFL ranking 2025
Photo illustration of the top5 quarterbacks and the top 5 non-quarterbacks for the NFL ranking 2025
In the NFL, there are quarterbacks, and there are all other players. Quarterbacks exist outside every other positional pay scale. They can single-handedly sink seasons or prop up annual Super Bowl contention. Franchises must build rosters on two tracks — the identification of a quarterback and the accumulation of talent around him.
It is hard enough to make the apples-to-oranges ranking of individual players across positions. It becomes pointless to measure quarterbacks against linemen or cornerbacks. Here, then, are two sets of rankings: the best 25 quarterbacks in the NFL, and the best 25 players who don’t play quarterback.
Quarterbacks
In a constantly evolving league, one truism remains: Anything is possible with a great quarterback, and without one, nothing. Here are the best 25 quarterbacks in the NFL, ranked. (And, no, we didn’t forget Aaron Rodgers.)
Patrick Mahomes
29 years old, Kansas City Chiefs
Lamar Jackson
28, Baltimore Ravens
Were Jackson not the best athlete ever to play quarterback (apologies, Randall Cunningham and Steve Young), he would be elite on passing production alone. He will finally get credit for it when — not if — he breaks through in January.
Josh Allen
29, Buffallo Bills
Joe Burrow
28, Cincinnati Bengals
Jayden Daniels
24, Washington Commanders
If you think his legs move fast, check out his brain. He recognized coverages and found checkdowns faster than any rookie should be legally allowed. A deep-ball maestro who doesn’t get bored accepting easy completions.
Jalen Hurts
27, Philadelphia Eagles
The Super Bowl MVP mitigates profound flaws — paltry production over the middle, a tendency to hold the ball — with extreme strengths. The Eagles would not be so punishing without Hurts’s combination of power running and deep-ball accuracy.
Matthew Stafford
37, Los Angeles Rams
C.J. Stroud
23, Houston Texans
Justin Herbert
27, Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert’s physical capability allows him to make any play, but it exceeds his facility to make the right play. His passing lacks finesse, and he could better wield his exceptional running ability, but his potential is limitless — and his production already borders on elite.
Dak Prescott
32, Dallas Cowboys
Baker Mayfield
30, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jared Goff
30, Detroit Lions
Jordan Love
26, Green Bay Packers
Brock Purdy
25, San Francisco 49ers
Geno Smith
34, Las Vegas Raiders
Sam Darnold
28, Seattle Seahawks
Bo Nix
25, Denver Broncos
Kyler Murray
28, Arizona Cardinals
Trevor Lawrence
25, Jacksonville Jaguars
Drake Maye
22, New England Patriots
Caleb Williams
23, Chicago Bears
Michael Penix Jr.
25, Atlanta Falcons
A left-handed hunk of heavy artillery, Penix is an aesthetic delight. He sometimes plays as if he thinks he can throw the ball through a safety, but his arm strength and quick mind forces the defense to defend every blade of grass.
Cam Ward
23, Tennessee Titans
Tua Tagovailoa
27, Miami Dolphins
Justin Fields
26, New York Jets
Of course, quarterbacks alone don’t make a team. …
Non-quarterbacks
The level of talent in the NFL today surpasses anything in the league’s history. The skill, athleticism and mental acuity required to even make a roster is mind-boggling. To be among the best requires something extraordinary — and all 25 of these players have it.
Micah Parsons
26 years old, LB, Green Bay Packers
The sleekest wrecking ball in the NFL, Parsons is a defense unto himself. He might as well be invisible to offensive tackles, and he has the flexibility and quickness to bend around the corner before a quarterback knows he’s about to ruin his day. The Packers made a blockbuster trade for him Thursday.
Ja'Marr Chase
25, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Justin Jefferson
26, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Myles Garrett
29, DE, Cleveland Browns
Saquon Barkley
28, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Patrick Surtain II
25, CB, Denver Broncos
Penei Sewell
24, OT, Detroit Lions
T.J. Watt
30, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Maxx Crosby
28, DE, Las Vegas Raiders
Aidan Hutchinson
25, DE, Detroit Lions
Lane Johnson
35, OT, Philadelphia Eagles
Derek Stingley Jr.
24, CB, Houston Texans
Fred Warner
28, LB, San Francisco 49ers
CeeDee Lamb
26, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Chris Jones
31, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce … and Chris Jones. The Chiefs give Jones credit as a foundational member of their dynasty. He laughs at the idea of blocking him with one interior lineman, and he can ruin a game plan even when double-teamed.
Derrick Henry
31, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Jalen Carter
24, DT, Philadelphia Eagles
Brock Bowers
22, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
Kyle Hamilton
24, S, Baltimore Ravens
Dexter Lawrence
27, DT, New York Giants
A.J. Brown
28, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Tristan Wirfs
26, OT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
George Kittle
31, TE, San Francisco 49ers
Creed Humphrey
26, C, Kansas City Chiefs
Nick Bosa
27, DE, San Francisco 49ers
Illustrations by Artur Galocha and Álvaro Valiño with photos by The Washington Post, AP, Getty and Imagn Images.